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Ridgeway
When Jaclyn Sinclair researches the Fenian Invasion of 1866, a little known incident in US and Canadian history, strange things start happening, until she is flung back in time to the day the invasion began. Taken prisoner, she is questioned by Sean O'Dell, one of the invading Fenians. Now she's stuck in 1866, in the middle of a historical event she knows far too much about, being interrogated by one of the most gorgeous men she's ever met....Uh-oh.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 16, 2019
Ridgeway, by Louise Clark.
This is a brilliant time-travel novel about a little known Canadian historical event. It chronicles the Fenian Invasion of Canada via Buffalo and Fort Erie on June 1, 1866.
Most Canadians won't even know what Louise is talking about, but I was born and raised in Hamilton and the Fenian Invasion is not forgotten in that city or in the Niagara Peninsula. That's because two volunteer militias from Hamilton brought the invasion to a standstill (even though they lost both battles against the Irish). The battle-hardened veterans of the American Civil War thought they were fighting regular troops and were shocked the Canadians were only volunteers so fiercely defending their turf. It so upset them that they lost heart and retreated back to the United States after only three days of skirmishing. At that point, they hadn't even met the British Regulars sent to intercept them.
Their misconception is one Americans had long held about Canada: that we were pawns of the British. The Irish Fenians, with memories of the brutal British oppression in Ireland, thought they would liberate Canada from the British yolk and that the populace would be so grateful it would rise up against the government. Little did they understand that the Niagara Peninsula where they landed had been settled for more than 100 years and that its citizens were content and relatively well off.
But memories of the Fenian invasion had a long life. I remember my father, who was a member of the Argyle and Sutherland regiment and later Master of Barton Lodge (one of the oldest Masonic lodges in Canada) describing how lodge members buried their masonic jewels for fear the Fenians would reach Hamilton and teal them--and this was in the 1930s.
Yet the invasion itself was no joke. Louise Clark in the guise of time-traveller Jaclyn (Jack), disguised as a boy, aptly describes the horrors of the battles that raged and ensures that Canadians understand the agonies of warfare on Canadian soil. As a young lad, she follows the campaign (knowing from her historical studies in her own 21st century time how it will end).
She finds protection with a local family (the Baileys) and wonders why she, of all people, should be transported across time to participate in such events. Eventually, she realizes that she is probably there to protect Major Sean O'dell, a veteran who is sick of war after four years of it in America, and the girl he meets as a wounded soldier in Canada.
This is a wonderful romance and historical narrative by a Canadian author who has not only made a name for herself but is also a great historical writer. I believe every Canadian should read Ridgeway, and realize just how close this country came to being overrun by the survivors of the American Civil War, Irish vets with a real grudge against the British. The year 1866 is only one year from Confederation, and it is chilling to realize that it may never have happened if the Fenians had succeeded. A great story from a great author, a time travel romance worth every nickel.
This is a brilliant time-travel novel about a little known Canadian historical event. It chronicles the Fenian Invasion of Canada via Buffalo and Fort Erie on June 1, 1866.
Most Canadians won't even know what Louise is talking about, but I was born and raised in Hamilton and the Fenian Invasion is not forgotten in that city or in the Niagara Peninsula. That's because two volunteer militias from Hamilton brought the invasion to a standstill (even though they lost both battles against the Irish). The battle-hardened veterans of the American Civil War thought they were fighting regular troops and were shocked the Canadians were only volunteers so fiercely defending their turf. It so upset them that they lost heart and retreated back to the United States after only three days of skirmishing. At that point, they hadn't even met the British Regulars sent to intercept them.
Their misconception is one Americans had long held about Canada: that we were pawns of the British. The Irish Fenians, with memories of the brutal British oppression in Ireland, thought they would liberate Canada from the British yolk and that the populace would be so grateful it would rise up against the government. Little did they understand that the Niagara Peninsula where they landed had been settled for more than 100 years and that its citizens were content and relatively well off.
But memories of the Fenian invasion had a long life. I remember my father, who was a member of the Argyle and Sutherland regiment and later Master of Barton Lodge (one of the oldest Masonic lodges in Canada) describing how lodge members buried their masonic jewels for fear the Fenians would reach Hamilton and teal them--and this was in the 1930s.
Yet the invasion itself was no joke. Louise Clark in the guise of time-traveller Jaclyn (Jack), disguised as a boy, aptly describes the horrors of the battles that raged and ensures that Canadians understand the agonies of warfare on Canadian soil. As a young lad, she follows the campaign (knowing from her historical studies in her own 21st century time how it will end).
She finds protection with a local family (the Baileys) and wonders why she, of all people, should be transported across time to participate in such events. Eventually, she realizes that she is probably there to protect Major Sean O'dell, a veteran who is sick of war after four years of it in America, and the girl he meets as a wounded soldier in Canada.
This is a wonderful romance and historical narrative by a Canadian author who has not only made a name for herself but is also a great historical writer. I believe every Canadian should read Ridgeway, and realize just how close this country came to being overrun by the survivors of the American Civil War, Irish vets with a real grudge against the British. The year 1866 is only one year from Confederation, and it is chilling to realize that it may never have happened if the Fenians had succeeded. A great story from a great author, a time travel romance worth every nickel.
February 8, 2017
I felt like I was reading a history book instead of time travel romance. I really don't like the way the story is written even though I love civil war era and I get confused between Jaclyn and Jacqui that I have to backtracked few times. I would not recommend this book. There are definitely better books out there.
May 1, 2015
I enjoyed the history that was meticulously researched and conveyed here about the Fenian raids into West Canada. A twist towards the end surprised me.
April 30, 2015
A historical romance that was so good I went on to read more about Ridgeway and the Fenians.
December 26, 2018
Wow what a huge let down this book was!
Sean and Jaclyn didn't end up together, so what is the purpose of Jaclyn's journey then? -_-
Sean and Jaclyn didn't end up together, so what is the purpose of Jaclyn's journey then? -_-
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews